Filing device.



S. E. TROUT.

FiLlNG DEViCE.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.20.19|3.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

81mm mtoz S. E. TROUT.

FILING DEVICE. I APPLICATION FlLED AUG.20. 1913. v l 216 17D PatentedFeb. 13, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- @Z v4, mm

,Illll To all whom it may concern:

or record cards,

in eras PATENT canton,

SILAS EDGAR TROUT, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FILING nnvron.

Be it known that I, SILAs EDGAR TROUT, a citizen of the United States,residing Philadelphia,

in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Filing Devices, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

My invention comprises an improved filing device, and while it may beembodied in constructions adapted for various purposes, it is speciallydesigned for use in connection with filing or storing systems of thetype employing spacer elements or guide boards arranged in receptaclesfor containing cost correspondence, bills, invoices, documents, or otherobjects to which access may be desired from time to time.

In its broad aspect, the object contemplated is the provision of meanswhereby any receptacle having sides and a bottom,

may be transformed into a filing or storing vented from sagging orbecoming promiscu-- ously disarranged; and the 'productionj'of theseresults by an instrumentality which may be readily attached to anddetached from a receptacle, are objects-attained by this invention. 1

In card index, and similar filing andstoring systems, cons derableconfusion and bother resulted when it became necessary to transfer thecontents of a'fille d,file to a transfer box for storage. The present invention is desi ned with the object of eliminating this difficulty.

Added to the above objects and advan tages, the device comprising myinvention as herein described, is simple, practical, economical ofmanufacture, and easily applied. It makes provision for completelycovering the receptacle, thus eliminating dust, and aiding materially inthe furtherance of fire proof filing systems.

Other objects and advantages will in part be obvious, and in part be-mad'e clear in the following description.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed August 20, 191a.

Patented Feb. 1133, 191?. Serial No. 785,810.

7. In the accompanying drawings made a j part hereof there isillustrated an embodiment of the invention, the same serving inconjunction with the description to illustrate its principles, andwherein z- Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a form of the inventiona plied;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a detail view in perspective, partly in section, showing theassemblage of the units;

Fig. 4 is a detail section 'll ig. 5 is a perspective and Fig. 6 is asectional view of the same.

As here shown, the invention comprises the following units supporting orcarrying units; guide or spacer units maintained thereby; a cover unit,and the receptacle or article to which the device is attached. Thesupporting units comprise guide board or spacer supports in the formguide boards being carried thereby. The clips are applicable to thesides of a receptacle, and have a portion formed to receive and retain acover.

In furtherance of a principle of the invention, it is contemplated toprovide an ordinary receptacle of a size and shape designed to be placedwithin a file box, drawer, or other container for cards, documents,correspondence, or the like. The clips and such spacers as desirable,are applied to this box, so that when filled, it is merely necessary toremove the box, insert the cover and store it 'as a transfer case. Ifdesired, a separate cover could be placed on the box, the clips andspacers being removed and attached to the box to be inserted in thedrawer or the of a clip member; of a modification;

like.

Referrin now specifically to the drawings, in whlch like charactersdesignate like parts in the specification. 1 represents a re ceptacle,sides 2 of which are preferably intermediately reduced in height as at3. For the purpose of providing with" spacerelements or guide boards,and transforming it into a file box, guide board or spacer, carriers 4are desi ned.

The carrier members are in the form of clips consisting of an outerportion 5, an inner portion 6, in spaced relation, and adapted to beforced down over and embrace snugly the sides of the receptacle. Theupper portions of the clips are formed into of clips, the

this receptacle grooves or guideways 7 for the reception of a cover 8.One manner in which these clips may be formed is illustrated in Fig. 4:.The outer 5 portion is extended at an angle to the side 5 to form a topportion 9. Here the material which is preferably resilient metal, isbent back upon itself as at to form the inner' upper surface of theguideway or cover retainer. It is then carried downwardly as at 11, in.alinement with the side 5, from which it is extended outwardly at anangle to form the portion 12. This portion is preferably wider than thetop portion 9, for reasons hereafter to be explained, and forms thelower surface of the guideway 7. I

The clips or carriers are provided with means for the reception andretention of guide or spacer elements. In the embodi ment illustrated'inFigs. 1, 2, 3 and l, slots 13 are shown. They are preferably arrangedvertically on the inner surface of the clips, and are of a size anddepth adapted to receive and retain snugly lugs or projections 14carried by guide boards or spacer elements 15. p The clips or carriersare arranged on opposite sides of the receptacle, the slots beingpreferably in alinement, and of sufiicient number to meet variousrequirements.

In practice the slots in the carriers and the lugs on the spacers are ofa depth sufficient to retain the spacers in vertical position Withoutthe necessity of extra instrumentality secured in the bottom of the boxfor this purpose. The surface 12 being wider than the surface 9, andtheslotsbeing extended therein, permits the lugs to enter into the spacebetween the sides 5 and 6 of the clips or carriers. This arrangementtogether with the substantial depth of slots and lugs insures the stablevertical retention of the spacers, and prevents their displacement whenthe contents may be of such a nature as to warp or bulge them.

, For application to a receptacle the sides of which are not dished outas in Fig. 3, the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 is provided.In this instance;"lugs or projec'tions 17 take the place of theslotspreviously described, and when so constructed the guide boards maybe constructed without lugs. interlocking action between the carriersand the receptacle toothed members 18 driven inward from the metal ofthe sides of the clips may be provided.

From the foregoing it will be readily seen that my invention applied toa receptacle provides for its subdivision into any desired number ofcompartments; for the vertical retention of any papers, documents or thelike filed therein; and for the exclusion 5 of follower blocks and otherinstrumentality Should it bev desirable to have an placed in thereceptacle to insure stability of the spacers and compact retention ofthe .contents.

By applying the carriers and spacers to an ordinary receptacle andplacing it in the permanent file box or drawer a combined file andtransfer box results. When'it has been filled it is only necessary toremove the receptacle and insert the cover. It is then ready forstorage, the contents being in their original compartments. By thisarrangement the displacement, loss or mutilation which frequentlyattended the transfer of papers from a file to a place of storage iseliminated, and the contents are maintained in a manner which minimizes"their danger of exposure to fire, water, dust, destruction ormutilation.

Should it be desirable, one set of clips may be taken from onereceptacle and placed on another. The contents being in separated andsegregated arrangeme t they are easily withdrawn, the spacers them ifnecessary. In making a transfer without the removal of the clips, thecontents of each separate compartment may be removed, the spacerelements supporting the remaining papers or the like and pre-' ventingthem placed.

It has been the object of the present invention to provide a filingdevice which will be simple, practical, economical of manufacture, andwhich will readily adapt itself to various sizes of filing boxes andvarious conditions of usage. It will be understood however, that while Ihave described my invention-and illustrated in the embodiment hereinshown, I do not wi'sh to limit myself to the precise construction ofthis disclosure, or to any particular manner in which the same has beenor may be carried into effect, as many changes in the construction andarrangement, of parts may be made without departing from the mainprinciples of the invention, or sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is 1. A filing device comprising spacer-element supportsadapted to embrace a portion of the walls of a receptacle; andspacerelements carried by said supports.

. 2. A filing device comprising spacer-element supports adapted to beremovably mounted on a receptacle; and a'cover retainmg instrumentalityon each of said supports.

3. A filing device comprisingspacer-element supports adapted to beremovably mounted on a receptacle; spacer-elements carried by saidsupports; and a cover retainmg instrumentality on each of said supports.

4. A filing device comprising spacer-element supports including clips tobe mounted on the sides of a receptacle; and spacerelements carried bysaid supports.

from falling or becoming misbeing carried with.

ports. 7 1 A filing device comprising spacer-element supportsincluding-clip members to be mounted on the sides of a receptacle andmeans on said clips for carrying spacer-elements; and means on saidsupports for rev tain ng a cover.

disposed spacer-supports;

8. A filing device comprising oppositely means carried by a portion ofeach support for retaining spacer-elements; and means on said supportsfor retaining a cover.

'9. A filing device comprising oppositely disposed spacer-supports;adapted to be removably mounted on the sides of a receptacle; meanscarried by a portion of eachsupport for carrying spacerelements;spacerelements maintained 1n position by said car- -ry1ng means; meansfor retaining a cover;

and means for lmPOSitiXGlY locking said spacer-supports to the sides ofthe receptacle.

10. A filing device comprising spacer supporting clip members adapted tobe removably'n'iounted on the sides-of a receptacle, said clip membersincluding an inner member and an'outer member for engagement With theinner and outer surfaces of the side of a receptacle; means on said clipmembers for carrying spacer elements; spacers carried thereby; and acover retaining means on each of said clips.

11. In combination With a receptacle, :1 filing device comprising spacersupporting clip members disposed on opposite sides of the receptac1e;means on said clip members for carryingspacers; spacers carried by saidmeans; and a cover retaining instrumentality on each of said supports.

12. In combination With'a receptacle, a filing device comprising spacersupports ineluding clip members adapted to be removmeans;cover'retaining instrumentalities on said supports; and means forimpositively locking said clip members to the sides of the receptacle.

13. As an article of manufacture, a spacer supporting clip for filingdevices comprising receptacle side embracing members; and means on oneof said members for carrying spacers.

14. As an article of manufacture, a spacer supportfor filing devicescomprising members for embracing the sides of a receptacle; and meansthereon for retaining a cover.

15. As an article of manufacture, a spacer support'for filing devicescomprising members for embracing the sides of a receptacle; meansthereonfor carrying spacers; and

means thereon for retaining a cover.

16. As an article of manufacture, a spacersupport for filing devicescomprising two clip members each adapted for embracing a side of areceptacle; the body portions of each being bent to form a coverretaining groove; and means on each of said clip members for carryingspacer elements.

17. As an article of manufacture, a spacer supporting element for filingdevlces comprising a body'portion; two oppositely disposed portions inspaced relation'connected to said body portion to form a clip; said bodyportion being bent to form a cover retaining groove; and means on one ofsaid oppositely disposed portions for retaining spacers.

18. A filing device comprising members adapted to embrace a portion ofthe sides of a receptacle; and means thereon for retai'ning spacers.

19. A filing device comprising oppositely disposed members adapted toembrace a portion of a receptacle; and means carried by SILAS EDGARTROUT.

Witnesses:

HARRY E. BELLIS, PAUL J. SNYDER.

